Delta-ee Research Blog

Matthew’s primary role is to provide support to a wide range of consulting projects related to various distributed energy topics: from heat-pumps, to fuels cells, to biomass heat and energy generation. In addition to consultancy work, Matthew is a core part of Delta’s microgrids research team. He is based at Delta Energy and Environment’s new Cambridge office.

Matthew holds an MPhil in Engineering for Sustainable Development (distinction) from the University of Cambridge as well as MSc(Eng) in Chemical Engineering from the University of Cape Town. His undergraduate degree was in Chemical Engineering (distinction) also from the University of Cape Town. Matthew is a registered member of the UK Energy Institute and UK Society of Environmental Engineers.

Towards the end of 2018, my colleagues and I finished working on a project for the UK Department for Business Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) looking into the ‘Technical Feasibility of Electric Heating in Rural Off-Gas Grid Dwellings’. This was an important project examining the often forgotten off-gas grid sector. The results from this work helped inform BEIS’ response to the call for evidence on the future framework for heat in buildings.

There is a range of stakeholders across the energy landscape looking at hydrogen through a new lens. Why the fuss? Simply put, hydrogen has the potential to help us solve some of the most pressing energy challenges in the decades to come. However, the timeline is important, therefore ‘decades’ is the key word here, as it is unlikely that pure hydrogen will be flowing through the gas mains or into your car in the next few months or even the next few years. But there is huge potential. Hydrogen is an energy vector that can be used for a range of heat, transport and power generation applications. See Cate Lyon’s blog for more on hydrogen and its relation to domestic heat here. The big question is where can it best be used?

Energy Systems Catapult (ESC) is working with Delta-ee to develop a database of innovative UK companies, with overseas export potential, that are active in the smart power, district heating and distributed power sectors.

Delta-ee’s recent study for the UK Government looking at the current and future costs of biomass wood pellets got me thinking about how biomass fares as a genuine low-carbon heating solution for the UK.

The UK Committee on Climate Change states, “Decarbonising space and water heating is one of the biggest challenges for carbon budgets” - currently only 2% of buildings derive heat from low-carbon sources. This number needs to be a lot higher if the UK is to achieve its overall ambitious carbon reduction targets, but which low-carbon technology is best? Is biomass a key part of the solution for low-carbon heating in the UK?